Thursday, March 31, 2011

The charcoal piece “Before the Beginning” by Joyce McCarten draws the viewer in by its mysterious inky colors. The piece is magnetic, in that it has a dark feel to it. McCarten's use of monochrome colors and shadowy effects are compelling in expressing a melancholy mood. The circles and squares among the other structures are exciting and gripping. The contrast between the lights and darks emphasize the geometric shape. The dramatic tones signify a breathtaking emotion in the piece. The application of choppy scratches and smooth blends are an excellent combination as well. I fully enjoy the way McCarten applies her textures to present a depth to the piece.

The Studio Gallery 2108 R Street NW Dupont Circle 202.232.8734 www.studiogallerydc.com Gallery Hours ; Wed-Thurs 1-7, Fri 1-7, Sat 1-6 and Sundays by appointment. Opening March 30-April 23, 2011 First Friday Reception April 1 (not kidding) 6-8 p.m. Artist's Reception April 15 6-8 p.m. Solo Show: Joyce McCarten "Uncommon Boundaries:New Abstract Paintings". Ms McCarten continues the tradition of using rich color, rich brushstroke and rich light on the canvas to evoke landscape and architecture, the mystery of expression and emotion. In this year of looking at the seminal work of the Abstract Expressionists at MOMA and at abstraction throughout the United States, Ms McCarten so beautifully conveys the strength and dynamism of the canvas. Duo Show: Bud Hensgen "Revisiting the Rectangle" and Veronica Szalus "transition" Mr Hensgen uses the wonderful rectangle as a launching pad for his abstract works that like Ms McCarten's question the sense of space, surface and mystery of the canvas. Ms Szalus in her first duo show at the Gallery will create three installations, all "transitional" pieces that reflect light, shape, balance and time. Together these elements form the means for transition from one state of being into the next. From the macro to the micro, organic and inorganic...everything is evolving and changing.

Studio Gallery shows the works of guest and emerging artists each month in their upstairs Betsy Ross Gallery as well as the work of Member artists. We also feature unique outdoor sculpture in our garden. Studio Gallery is located in a beautiful brownstone in historic Dupont Circle and is available for parties, meeting and receptions.

Don McCarten's interesting painting “Shaped Canvas I” takes a step to form a new way of looking at a painting, instead of in a traditional rectangular canvas, he uses an angular or “shaped” canvas. The canvas shape is horizontally symmetrical, which creates a balance to the piece, and his use of geometric shapes in the piece give it a more dynamic feel. The values of blue and grey blend together nicely, while contrasting against the lighter blues and white he uses. It is difficult to say which is the foreground and background of the piece, but it emphasizes each part. Don's brushstrokes with the lighter blues create an image of crashing waves or a waterfall spilling over the edge. Despite Don's passing, his dynamic artwork will surely keep his spirit alive.

Friday, March 25, 2011

It is Friday and after a long hiatus Ties and Tales is back with some very intriguing notes on what some will do after they have taken their ties home. So, for those that want a reminder of how this works...

on our door you will find a bevy of unique ties. We ask that you take one* and write an anonymous wish, "what are you going to do with it?", or story. Here are a few examples of the words and anecdotes that people have shared with our gallery:

"I take the tie with the cars and locomotives because I wish that my friends all find the strength to let go of what holds them back and migrate to strange places to just go and do letting their dreams drive."

"I will wear the tie and think about those who have suffered a natural disaster, war or revolution"

"I will give the tie w/ trains on it to a friend who's OBSESSED w/ trains"

"I will wear the tie and go on a nice date with the girl I love. She is everything I love and need. She's Amazing and she loves skinny ties."

" (I am a girl)I am going to wear it to work next week. I've been meaning to start wearing men's clothes again."

"We're a group of friends/ Cyclists having a 6 month reunion after biking across the country for affordable housing (Boston -> Santa Barbara!) We are now dressing up for an America themed bar crawl and will incorporate this tie into an outfit!"

Be on the look out for your story to be shared weekly, Friday afternoons, from now on and if your feeling even more generous we accept tie donations. We want to keep this going So, if you like what you read, log off you PC, and come share it!

Sincerely,

Studio Gallery

*due to the fact that our tie numbers have been dwindling (hence the hiatus) we have changed the rules recently and ask that you write your wish etc... on the tie and leave it.Thank You again for your participation!

Fleming says, “We are bombarded by reports of devastation of human life around the world. We yearn for a peace that would make it better for those who suffer and mourn. And for all of us who can merely watch and send a few bucks with a heavy heart, we long for peace as well.

I go to the studio to get the colors of peace on the canvas. These paintings are the products of my desire to find peace. The Colors of Peace are bright and hopeful.

Within this show the hope and joy come from my grandson, Max, who is happy and innocent. Several of the paintings are dedicated to him and to his future that will have peace woven through it.”

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Freda Lee-McCann's stunning watercolor and collage painting, “Mountains in the Mist” captures the beauty of the mountain tops of Asia with swirls of color. The soft pinks of the mountain top blend beautifully and make it seem like it has been captured during a calming sunset where the light bounces off the rocks. The deep purples define the ridges in the rock, creating a dramatic texture. The background and bottom of the painting is blurred, which makes one imagine a winding wind flowing around the mountains. Freda's use of color and of light and dark guides ones eyes to the striking and bold mountain, yet makes you feel tranquil and comfortable. One may feel that if they reach the top, they can sort out all of their problems and release any stresses they may have. This marvelous painting would fit perfectly into ones bedroom to create a place of peace.

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Harriet Lessar’s piece “Jelly Beans” is mouthwatering and delightful. The colorful jellybeans look tasty in the decorative candy dish. The primary colors make the piece seem fun and cheerful. Even though the jellybeans remain 2-dimensional, they are still as tempting to eat as ever! Lessar also did a wonderful job at creating a depth in the piece with her use of shadows and light reflections. The appetizing jellybeans become alive in this piece as sweet and alluring.

The oil painting “Wild Fires” by Brian Williams is soothing and breathtaking. Williams effectively captures the essence of a fire erupting on a landscape. His palette is a perfect mixture of muted and bold colors. The positioning of the landscape shapes is strikingly beautiful, emphasizing the streaks of red. The soft brush strokes of orange and the quiet tones of blue set off the fire bursts in the center of the piece. “Wild Fires” is quite extraordinary, in that it creates a beautifully sad scene of a forest fire. Williams clearly excels in capturing this bittersweet piece.

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Three Rather Short Stories inspired by Yvette Kraft's "Rata Scoo," "Hemal Herks," and "Hest Jinks."

Rata Scoo lived a peaceful life in the countryside. The fireplace would take a while to heat up the cottage in the mornings, and she would wait with tea in hand, bundled with a scarf watching the light sift through in the soft morning windows. Rata Scoo thought about the rabbits who had visited in her front yard the other day. The little brown one, in particular: he had hopped around, charming and velvet, with a petite white spot on his left ear.

Hemal Herks shivered out of his car in a bad mood. There were pigeons on the dock today. Hemal Herks didn't like pigeons. Sticking out his lower lip in in a frown, Hemal Herks grabbed his umbrella from the passenger seat, careful to not get his hair stuck on the metal doorframe like that other day. "Biscuits should be on the menu," he thought briskly. "It's a colorful Tuesday outside."

Hest Jinks looked up from his evening newspaper, interrupted at a new sound. "That's a rather peculiar kind of noise," he murmured, not wanting to get up to investigate further. His leg was bothering him and he had, after all, been feeling quite cozy sunken in the plushy arms of his chair. It had been a grizzly sort of afternoon, prickly and scattered. Hest Jinks wondered when his wife would be home, and looked forward to seeing the red knit scarf she had been boasting so pompously about.

Thursday, March 3, 2011

Peter Karp shows off his ability to create beautiful portraits in his inkjet print “Berlin Window.” An androgynous person stares back at the viewer with a mystified expression. The person's magnetic eyes and mysterious wardrobe certainly entice the viewer. The black and white image is highly contrasted and spaced wisely. Karp's use of the grey-scale emphasize that only the person's presence is important. It is simple, yet breathtaking in its means of conveying such a powerful emotion. The shadows demonstrate some mystery in the person. The interpreter immediately wants to know what the person is doing and how they feel. Karp also displays an excellent sense of light and composition in this piece. The image is truly a 'window' of a personality.

Iwan Bagus' mesmerizing image “Displaced Objects.01” captures a calm, serene beach scene with an antique mirror that reflect sand dunes. The clear, blue sky draws the viewer's eye straight to the crashing waves and beautifully shaped mirror. The increasing values of blue that extend from the sea's horizon to the top of the image show that this image was most likely taken during the morning, which creates wonderful lighting. The slightly off center mirror greatly contrasts against the beach scene, so the it is greatly emphasized. The reflection in the mirror cuts through the water with a different scene, so the viewer's eye is drawn to it. Iwan's series “Displaced Objects” show out of place antique objects such as chandeliers and chairs in the most tranquil of places.

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

The Studio Gallery 2108 R Street NW Dupont Circle 202.232.8734 www.studiogallerydc.com Gallery Hours ; Wed-Thurs 1-7, Fri 1-8, Sat 1-6 and Sundays by appointment. Opening March 2-26, 2011 First Friday Reception March 4,6-8 p.m. Artist's Reception March 19 4-6 p.m. Solo Show: "New Work: Iwan Bagus" In his first solo show at Studio Gallery, Mr Bagus, an award winning photographer shares his inward journey of memories, realities, and myths. Conceptual, obsessive, and passionate, his exhibition evokes questions of home, existence, and identity. Duo Show: Peter Karp "Mostly Grey" and Elizabeth Grusin-Howe, "La Serenissima" Mr Karp uses shadow boxes, mirrors and found images or objects as a means of inviting the viewer into a space for dialogue. He enjoys visual paradoxes and how they expose the ambiguity of what we perceive as real, objective and true. Ms Grusin-Howe, continues with her love of Venice and her masterful and multi-layered screen prints depict the beauty, the richness and treasure of the most "Serene" of cities.

Studio Gallery shows the works of guest and emerging artists each month in their upstairs Betsy Ross Gallery as well as the work of Member artists. We also feature unique outdoor sculpture in our garden. Studio Gallery is located in a beautiful brownstone in historic Dupont Circle and is available for parties, meeting and receptions.